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Air Fryer Baked Apples (Cinnamon & Oats)

CrispyAir Kitchen · Updated October 22, 2026 · Air fryer recipes with exact times & temperatures

Whole baked apples take about 18 minutes at 350°F (175°C) in the air fryer — tender all the way through, with a cinnamon-oat filling that turns buttery and crisp on top. They taste like the inside of an apple pie and need no pastry, no oven preheat and no pie dish. Choose firm, sweet-tart apples that hold their shape, and serve warm with yoghurt or ice cream.

Ingredients

• 4 firm apples (Honeycrisp, Gala or Braeburn)
• 1/3 cup (30 g) rolled oats
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg
• 2 tbsp melted butter
• 2 tbsp chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
• Pinch of salt

Method

1. Cut the top off each apple and scoop out the core and seeds with a spoon or melon baller, leaving the base intact so the filling stays in.
2. Mix the oats, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt and nuts, then stir in the melted butter until it resembles wet sand.
3. Pack the filling into the apples, mounding it slightly on top.
4. Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C) for 3 minutes. Place the apples upright in the basket with space between them.
5. Cook 15–20 minutes, until the apples are tender when pierced and the tops are golden. Very large apples may need 22–25 minutes.
6. Rest 5 minutes — the filling is extremely hot — and serve warm.

Tips that actually matter

• Soft eating apples (like Red Delicious) collapse — firm baking varieties hold their shape and their dignity.
• A teaspoon of water in the basket base creates a little steam that helps big apples cook evenly.
• For a breakfast version, swap half the sugar for raisins and serve over Greek yoghurt.

Why this recipe works

A firm apple is nature's ramekin: its own walls hold the filling while the flesh softens into a sauce-like tenderness. Moderate 350°F heat gives the centre time to cook through before the oat top passes golden — the same balance a pie strikes, without the pastry.

Variations to try

Small changes, new dishes: eggs become devilled, curried or ramen-style (marinate peeled jammy eggs in soy and mirin); baked apples take a crumble topping, a spoon of peanut butter in the filling, or a savoury turn with cheddar and thyme instead of sugar.

What to serve with it

Warm with Greek yoghurt, vanilla ice cream, or a pour of cold cream.

Storage & reheating

Refrigerate up to 3 days. Reheat at 325°F (165°C) for 5 minutes. Lovely cold, chopped over porridge.

Frequently asked questions

Do the apples need to be peeled?

No — the skin holds the apple together as it softens. Peeled apples slump into sauce (which is also nice, but a different dessert).

Can I make these without oats?

Yes — fill with just butter, sugar, cinnamon and nuts for a simpler, more caramel-like filling. Reduce the cook time by 2 minutes.

Why did my apples split?

The core was scooped too close to the base, or the apples were very ripe. Leave a good 1/2 inch of base and choose firm fruit.

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